During this challenging time something very positive has been building in Leominster, Herefordshire. Over the past eighteen months, six veterans have been working hard on a self-build project in which a staggering ten houses and nine flats have been completed just in time for Christmas.
FirstLight Trust is a national charity working with Veterans of the Armed Forces and Emergency Services. Their Support Worker, Lynne Gladwin, has been pivotal in the implementation of the self-build initiative. From its inception Lynne has been wholly committed to supporting the Veterans throughout the entire journey. She says,
“They are all amazing, it hasn’t been easy but between them they’ve come through the highs and lows. They’ve come out on top”.
Alabaré have provided the Veterans with this self-build platform to transform their lives; working with FirstLight Trust has started them on their road to recovery and will lead them to work and independent living.
Dorinda Wolfe Murray, Founding Trustee of FirstLight Trust says,
“What a wonderful ending to a tough year; it just goes to show what the right type of support and the right type of collaboration can achieve – homes for 6 veterans who have warmth, shelter and a place to call their own. Thank you to all those who helped make this possible”.
This initiative has helped build not just homes but provides a positive outlook going forward for many veterans at a time of many challenges. For those involved it also helped build self-confidence and self-worth and a real sense of purpose as we go into the new year.
